Sakura Hotel Hatagaya Staff Blog

IZAKAYA is a Japanese style pub where you get served a variety of entre size dishes and drinks. It is a place where Japanese people get together with their colleagues or friends after work or school.  

It is a walking distance from our hotel and perfect place to enjoy dinner and drinks at a reasonable price. And of course, you get to see how local business people enjoy themselves after long working day.

There is a little stall outside the restaurant where you get to order take away YAKITORI (meat and vegetable skewer). It might be a good idea to take some back to the hotel for your late night meal!?

 Enjoy your time in Hatagaya!!

On Sunday I went to see a manager of Sakura Hotel Hatagaya, Nory Kondo-san live concert held at Club Phase in Takadanobaba. He is a vocalist of Def Leppard tribute band called "Def Leppanda".

Me, Hideki-san, Nory-san, Sakura-chan and Sally-chan after the show 

In Takadanobaba there are numbers of live houses to enjoy various kinds of music ranging from Jazz to Rock.. For those of you who are interested in seeing local bands play in Tokyo, You might want to visit this local town!

Nory-san otsukaresamadeshita.

Have you tried UDON?

Have you tried some nicest hand-made UDON noodles with delicious broth??

Just around the corner from Hatagaya station at south exit, there is a nice local UDON restaurant to try.

"MENKO YA" has been recognised as Japan's third most delicious hand-made UDON restaurant by gourmet reporters at TBS broadcasting company.

What makes their UDON so special????

All noodles are freshly hand-made every day in this little booth at the front of the restaurant.

Their fresh noodles are so delicious and chewy, and you just dip them into the broth served separately along with other toppings.  

There are 12 menus to choose from. They all look so nice!

Friendly owner and staff members will always make you welcome!! Ensligh-speaking staff is also available.

Try some real stuff in Hatagaya!!

Gochisousamadeshita.

For the first blog in 2010, let me introduce a cool bar to visit at night in Hatagaya area.

Are you a big fan of UMESHU (Japanese plum wine)??

Try this Green tea or Banana flavor UMESHU!

We would like to thank all the guests who stayed with us in 2009 and hope you had a memorial time with your family, partner or friends during your stay.

We wish you all have a happy new year 2010!!

See you again next year in Tokyo! 

"What`s your Japan?" 

Sakura Hotel Hatagaya

What is your plan for this Christmas?

If you are planning to stay with us on that day I recommend you go visit Roppongi to see the Christmas illuminations decorating the whole city.

Here are some pics of a place called MidTown in Roppongi;

An enormous chandelier made from "washi" Japanese paper

 Merry Christmas everyone and I wish you have a wonderful day in Tokyo!

Just next to our hotel lobby is newly opened Sakura café. It is opened for our guests from 5 am to midnight every day.

Tokyo pita is created with a unique combination of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine.

There is a teriyaki chicken and lettuce wrapped in pita bread with garlic sauce or mayonnaise on the top. It also comes with a free drink and chips on the side.

Is it a perfect late-night meal for you??

On December 12^th, Sakura Hotel Hatagaya will be holding its 5^th guest event " Harajuku & Meiji shrine Tour.

This tour includes visiting the following places;

1. The famous Shinto shrine, Meiji jingu

2. Harajuku, the unique fashion capital of Japan   

3. Design Festa Gallery, the famous art gallery for young artists in Japan

If you are staying with us on that day it will be one of the best times to explore the city of Harajuku!! so let`s have fun time with us!!  

For more information please click on the following link;

http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/specialdeals.php#events 

To review our previous guest event;

http://www.sakura-hotel-hatagaya.com/hotel_event.php

Have a nice day!!

Today let me give a little explanation about unique etiquette in a Japanese style room.  

When you are invited to a Japanese room called washitsu there are certain customs and manners to follow.

First, sit in seiza position close to the exit and wait.

(Seiza is the Japanese term for the traditional way of formal sitting in Japan)

Put your hands on top of each other in front of your knees.

Exchange greetings and bow at about 45 degrees.

When offered, move to sit on the Japanese cushion.

It is important to understand these manners to avoid confrontation and achieve smooth communication in everyday Japanese life.

Green tea is made by steaming, rubbing and drying the young leaves of the Camelia Sinesis plant which is native to Asia.

Many studies and international research have shown that drinking green tea helps you maintain good health and prevent some of the major health issues with our modern lifestyles. Drinking green tea constantly may reduce high blood pressure, slow the affect of aging, protect against disease and fight viruses and many more.